Looking Back at the Biggest Pop Culture Stories of 2025
When it comes to pop culture, the year 2025 was marked by tragedy, controversy, and deals that could change Hollywood as we know it. Here is a look at some of the biggest stories of the year across the pop culture landscape.
Los Angeles Wildfires
The year started on a devastating note at the epicenter of the film and television industry. Over 57,000 acres were burned, and more than 18,000 homes were destroyed in the Los Angeles area at the hands of 14 major wildfires. In addition to the significant losses to personal homes and businesses, the entertainment industry also experienced massive disruptions due to the fires.
Several awards ceremonies were either delayed or cancelled. For example, the deadline for the Oscar nominations was extended as a courtesy to the hundreds of industry professionals who had to evacuate. Multiple studios were also closed for weeks as employees faced devastating economic uncertainty and housing instability.
Sydney Sweeney Jeans Ad Controversy
One of the hottest stars of the last year found herself at the center of one of the biggest controversies of 2025. While Sydney Sweeney headlined a number of hit shows and movies this year, it was her role in an American Eagle jeans campaign that generated the most headlines. The fall 2025 ad campaign was accused of being racially insensitive due to its tagline that read "Sydney Sweeney has great jeans."
Critics of the campaign said that the racially coded language played on the specific casting of the white, blonde, and blue-eyed characteristics of the actress, promoting eugenics and white supremacy. Supporters of the ad argued that it was a harmless pun.
Taylor Swift Solidifies Position as Most Influential Celebrity
Despite the record-breaking Eras Tour ending in 2024, Taylor Swift continued to dominate the music scene in 2025. The mega pop star released her 12th album, The Life of a Showgirl, to much fanfare in early October. In the spring, Swift announced that she was able to purchase all of her masters, ending a years-long legal drama.
But the biggest story of all surrounding Swift was her August engagement to NFL star Travis Kelce. Swift continued to be a fixture at Kelce's games with the Kansas City Chiefs, keeping the royalty couple in the spotlight. It is being reported that the couple is planning a June 2026 wedding, meaning that this star is not likely to dim any time soon.
Warner Bros. and Netflix Merger
In what can be described as one of the biggest entertainment deals in recent history, Netflix launched a successful bid to take over Warner Bros. Although it will take years before the deal is final, Netflix will end up with some of the most profitable franchises of all time should the negotiations clear all of the legal hurdles. The deal is subject to a comprehensive regulatory review both in the U.S. and on international soil.
The board of Warner Bros. chose Netflix over Paramount, the studio originally believed to be the frontrunner. The proposed acquisition will also include HBO Max. The $72 billion deal gives Netflix control over intellectual properties such as Harry Potter, Batman, and Game of Thrones.
Tragic Murder of Rob and Michele Reiner
The end of the year brought the tragic deaths of Hollywood stalwart Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele. The two were found dead in their Los Angeles home on December 14. The couple's son, Nick, is currently being held in custody without bail for allegedly murdering his parents.
While every year brings several high-profile celebrity deaths, the violent murder of the Reiners came as a shock to the community. Reiner was known for his abilities as a director, actor, and producer, first making a name for himself for his role on "All in the Family." The couple met on the set of "When Harry Met Sally," marrying in 1989 and having three children. The Reiners were also known for their wide array of philanthropic endeavors.
Late Night Show Controversies
The world of politics collided with the entertainment industry often on the late night stage over the course of 2025. Both Jimmy Kimmel and Stephen Colbert found themselves in verbal battles with the Trump administration. Kimmel was suspended for about a week after conservatives said that he was out of line for joking about President Donald Trump's response to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. The Walt Disney Company eventually caved to pressure to bring Kimmel back to ABC, reinstating him shortly after Disney+ reportedly lost about two million subscribers.
Meanwhile, Colbert's show was cancelled completely, with an expected end date of May of 2026. CBS said that it was a financial decision; however, many media experts believe the cancellation came as a result of the Paramount and Skydance merger, a deal that is favorable to Trump.
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